Drilling mechanism



March 5, 1929. E. E. MlLLER DRILLING MECHANISM Filed Maron 16, 1925 mu e QN @XT /W WV ..FS f N mw@ QS, S W Q`N Wd f v MSN www Q um r `|I M S Q, f QNNM Q m Q n w N Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,104,050 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD' E. MILLER, 0F PARIS, FRANGE, ASSIGNOR T0 SULLIVAN MACHINERY COM- PANY, A. CJ'RPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

DRILLING MEGHANIBM.

Application 1aed nai-ch is, 1925. vserali No. 16,012.

My invention relates to drilling mechaiiisms. v

An object of my invention is to provide an improved drilling mechanism. Another lobject of my invention is to provide an improved drilling mechanism having improved hole cleansing means therefor. Still another object of my invention is to provide an iinproved hammer drilling mechanism having improved externally disposed hole cleansing means therefor. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved drilling mechanism having improved hole cleansing means therefor wherein the swivel connections are carried directly by the hollow drill steel. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved drilling mechanism especially adapted to use in drilling deep holes wherein improved hole cleansing means carried directly by the hollow drill steel are provided, thus permitting a large quantity of cleansing fluid to be transmitted through the drill steel to the bottom of the drill hole. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved air and water swivel connection of exceedingl eiiicient and rugged character especially a apted to use in deep hole drilling.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1.- is a side elevation of a drilling mechanism incorporating one illustrative embodiment of my invention, the view being partial 1y broken away in section to facilitate illustration.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlar ed central longitudinally extending view il ustrating my improved cleansing fluid connection.

Fig. 4 illustrates a slightly modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a modilied form of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a partial transverse vertical sectional view ta en substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5. A

Fig. 7 illustrates a further modified form of construction.

In the illustrative embodiment of my in vention shown in Figs. l to 3, inclusive, I have shown a drillin motor, generally designated 1, which comprises a cylinder 2 having a bore 3 within which a hammer piston 4 is adapted to reciprocate. As illustrated, the hammer piston 4 is provided with a forwardly pro- ]ectmg striking bar 5 having straight and spiral flutes 6 formed in its outer periphery which are adapted to cooperate with a usual ratchet and pawl mechanism, generally designated 7, in a well known manner. The ratchet and pawl mechanism 7 is adapted to transmit intermittent rotation from the piston 4 to a chuck 8 carried within the forward end of the drilling motor and within which chuck a usual chuck bushing 9 is disposed. Suitably clutched to the forward end of the chuck 8 is a driver member 10 having lugs 11 formed thereon (see Fig. 2) which are adapted to cooperate with lateral lugs 12 formed upon the solid shank of a drill steel 13-in a well known manner. From the foregoing description it will be evident that the hammer piston 4 is adapted to actuate the drill steel 13 percussively and to rotate the latter intermittently hin the usual manner. It will herein further be observed that the drilling motor l is mounted within a usual cradle member 14 and is adapted to be fed relatively thereto by means of suitable feeding mechanism including a feed screw 15 in a well known manner.

In my improved construction it will herein be observed that the drill steel 13 is Oomprised of a plurality of sectional hollow drill rods 16 threadedly secured together and carrying thereon at their forward ends a usual drill bit 17. The shank portion of the drill rods 16 is provided adjacent its forward end with a circumferential ange 18 with which my improved fluid tight swivel connection, generally designated 19, is adapted to engage. y This swivel connection 19 comprises a cylindrical body portion 20 which is internally threaded as at 21to receive an externally threaded cylindrical sleeve 22. The rear end of the sleeve 22 is threadedly engaged by., a suitable annular cap or closure member 23 encircling the drill steel and held in non-rotative relation with respect to the body portion 20 by means of a suitable radial screw 24, while the forward portion of the sleeve is threadedly engaged by a similar adjustable cap or closure member 25. As

illustrated, disposed within the bore 26 of the sleeve 22 and surrounding the shank of the drill steel is an annular collar member 27 internally grooved as at 28, with which groove cleansing fluid is adapted to communicate by means of a threaded plug 29 which threadedly engages a threaded bushingor nipple 30 carried within a laterally proj ecting boss 31 formed upon the body portion 20. The outer end of the member 29 is threadedly engaged by means of a suitable T connection 32 to which air and water supply lines 33 and 34 are adapted to be connected. It will herein be observed that disposed at each side of the annular member 27 are a plurality of cup-shaped washers 35 and 36, herein preferably composed of leather, while disposed between the outer washers 36 and the cap members 23 and 25, respectively, are annular leather washers 37 and 38. As illustrated, annular metal spacing rings 39 are interposed between each set of the cup-.shaped washers 35 and 36. From the foregoing description it will herein be evident that when the cap member 25 is'threaded inwardly relative to the sleeve 22 the cup-shaped washers 35 and 36 are compressed and expanded against the drill steel, thus preventing excessive leakage of cleansnfy fluid from within the annular member 27 along the shank of the drill steel. It will be noted that the drill steel is'free to rotate relatively to the swivel connection 19, thus preventing the winding of the hose lines 33, 34 about the drill steel. As shown, the drill steel 13 is provided with an axial bore 40 communicatin at its forward end with the interior of the ollow drill rods 16, and at its rear end by means of a lateral passage 41 communicating with the groove 28 formed in the member 27.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 it will herein be observed that instead of forming the body portion 20, the sleeve 22, and the annular member 27 in separate parts, they are formed of a single piece 42 having externally threaded end portions 43 adapted to receive the adjustable cap members 23 and 25 heretofore described. In this construction the member 42 is internally bored at each end at 44 and these bores are adapted to receive the cup-shaped washers 35 and 36 and the annular portions 37 and 39, as heretofore described. Disposed between the annular cap members 23 and 25 and the washers 37 are annular metal washers 45 which are held in non-rotative relation with respect to the member 42 by means of radially extending pins 46, the outer ends of these pins cooperating with suitable slots 47 formed in the ends of the member 42. As shown, the meniber 42 is internally grooved, as at 48, and cleansing fluid is adapted to be admitted'to this groove b means of a suitable pipe connection 49 t readed, as at 50, within the member 42. From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the annular cap members 23 and 25 are adjusted, each set of the two cup-shaped washers 35 and 36 are compressed and expanded against the drill steel, thus preventing excessive leakage of cleansing fluid between the washers and the drill steel.

'In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 I have provided a cylindrical body portion 51 surrounding the drill steel and which threadedly engages, as at 52, an adjustable annular cap member` 53. The body 51 is internally bored, as at 54, and is adapted to receive cup-shaped washers 55 at each end thereof, a suitable annular spacing member 56 being interposed between these washers. As shown, disposed between the forward Washer 55 and the cap member 53 is an annular washer member 57 which is held in non-rotative relation with respect to the body 51 by means of a radially dis osed pin 58 which cooperates with a suitab e slot 59 formed in the member 51 (see Fig. 6). The annular member 56 is internally and externally grooved, as at 60 and 61, respectively, the outer grooves 61 communicating with the inner groove 60 by means of a series of radially disposed apertures 62. Cleansing fluid is adapted to be admitted to the outer groove 61 by means of a suitable supply connection 63 threadedly secured within the body 51. From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the single cap member 53 is suitably adjusted, the cup-shaped washers 55 are compressed and expanded against the steel, thus preventing excessive leakage of cleansing fluid from the groove 60 along the exterior of the drill steel.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 7 it will herein be noted that instead of using the threadedly connected sectional drill rods 16 the forward portion of the shank 13 of the drill steel may be provided at its forward end with an enlarged cylindrical portion 64 having an internal chamber or socket 65 formed therein which is adapted to receive the shank of a usual lugged drill steel 66. The drill steel 66 is held in non-rotative relation with respect to the member 64 by means of cooperating lugs formed on the member 64 and the drill steel 66, respectively.

In the use of the above forms of my invention it will herein be noted that when it is desired to remove the cuttings from the bottom of the drill hole, especially when drilling deep holes, water or air under pressure may be separately or simultaneously admitted through the connections 33, 34 through the plug member 29 into the internal groove formed within the water swivel. The fluid then passes from 4the groove 28 through the lateral passage 41 and longitudinally through the drill steel to the bottom of the drill hole. If it is desired to feed the drilling motor rearwardly from the position shown in Fig.

1, the fluid connection 19 may be, swung relatively to the drill steel, thus permitting the connections 29, 32 to clear the sides of the cradle 14.

While I have in this application specifically described several forms which Imy invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown fo-r purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

l. A cleansing fluid supply swivel connection for rock drill steels used with percussive motors, said connection comprising a hollow casing which in use surrounds a drill steel and is wholly supported on the steel while the latter is rotatable relative thereto, said casing when in use on the steel being freely rotatable relative to the percussive motor With which the steel is used, and said casing having internally thereof supporting and guiding portions between the ends thereof affording a close fit for a drill steel, said casing also havingan internal annular groove between said guiding portions and having at the outer sides of said guiding portions enlarged end chambers, expansible packing washers ydisposed in said'chambers, independently adjustable means at opposite ends of said casing for adjusting the packing washers to force .the same into iuid tight connection with the drill steel, and a 'luid supply connection compacking washers disposed in each of said end chambers, spacing rings disposed .between adjacent washers, adjustable cap members carried on the ends of said casing -forming means and acting on said washers to eX- pand the latter into Huid tight engagement with the drill steel, and a iiuid supply vconnection communicating with said central chamber. y

3. A cleansing fluid supply swivel connection for rock drills comprisin a hollow casing adapted to surround a Idrill steel, a plurality of internal annular shoulders in said casing defining a reduced central chamber, packing washers disposed in end chambers on opposite sides of said shoulders, metal washers engaging said packings, means for preventing rotation of said washers relative to said casing, cap members threaded on the ends of said casing andengaging said metal washers for expanding said packing washers, and a fluid supply connection communicating with said central chamber.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

EDWARD E. MILLER. 

